God Desires Us To Follow His Lead

Last updated on: September 3, 2020 at 3:07 am By Henry Karlson

It is easy to get complacent. We find a niche which we like, and we try to stay there, never moving on, never bettering ourselves. But that is not what we should do. We should be challenging ourselves with new opportunities and engaging new concerns as they rise up around us. We should not become complacent. We should not get too comfortable with the way life has turned out for us. Things can and will change, whether we want them... Read more

St. Macarius And The Pagan Priest

Last updated on: September 1, 2020 at 3:17 am By Henry Karlson

“Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God” (Jas. 1:19-20 RSV). How we speak, how we treat others, is important. As Christians, we must strive for charity. When we act charitably, those around us will be positively influenced. They will be encouraged to follow our example and strive after what is good for themselves. People are much more... Read more

The Strength Of Love

Last updated on: August 30, 2020 at 3:14 am By Henry Karlson

“Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Cor. 16:13-14 RSV). Love is central to the Christian faith. Love inspires us. It strengthens us. It gives us courage when we need it. We can stand firm in our faith because of it, but if we do not have it, then our faith can weaken, leading us to reject doing what Christ would have us do. Of course,... Read more

Kenosis And The Christian Life

Last updated on: August 26, 2020 at 3:15 am By Henry Karlson

Paul tells us to look at the God-man in the incarnation, to contemplate his kenosis, and to use what we see as an example for how we should love: “Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philip. 2:5-7 RSV). Jesus, the... Read more

Abba Theon And The Robbers

Last updated on: August 25, 2020 at 3:13 am By Henry Karlson

Abba Theon was an educated anchorite who lived in his cell for over thirty years. He was known to be able to read Greek, Latin and Coptic. But it was not his learning which set him apart. It was his mystical connection to God, a connection which led him to have a compassionate relationship with all he encountered, including the various animals which would visit him at his cell. He led a simple life, eating only vegetables which did not... Read more

Do We Try To Flatter Jesus Like The Rich Young Man?

Last updated on: August 23, 2020 at 5:33 am By Henry Karlson

Paul told the Corinthians that they can and will be saved if they held fast to all that they had been taught about the Gospel. But, he emphasized how important it was to put the faith into practice. Their belief could be in vain if they were unwilling to accept and act on all that he had preached: Now I would remind you, brethren, in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand,... Read more

Single-Issue Voting Vs. The Common Good

Last updated on: August 20, 2020 at 9:28 am By Henry Karlson

Catholicism is a universal faith. The Holy Spirit has been sent to us to teach the fullness of the truth (cf. Jn. 16:12-3). That means, among other things, it is holistic, seeking to integrate all truth together. It rejects attempt to separate various aspects of the truth, pitting them against each other. Likewise, it rejects pitting goods against the good. Catholicism rejects any attempt to elevate and promote a particular fact over and above all others, because it recognizes this... Read more

Manhood And Toxic Masculinity

Last updated on: August 19, 2020 at 8:29 am By Henry Karlson

In the shot story, “Manhood,” the former student and friend of C.S. Lewis, John Wain, writes of a youth whose father wants him to grow up to be a strong man, a youth who is being pushed by his father into all kinds of exercises and sports in order to attain his father’s ideal of manhood. The father, Mr Willison, felt he had to do this so that his son, Rob, could be better than he, that is, to have... Read more